Authorities expected to be at the site throughout the night investigating the scene and seeking a motive for the shooting.

The shooting occurred at about 3:30 p.m. in the 900 block of East Blithedale Avenue at the corner of Tower Road near Highway 101. Police received at least one report of a gun barrel protruding from an apartment at the complex.

Authorities blocked traffic at Tower Road to look for the gunman and evacuated at least eight residents in the area. Other residents were told to stay indoors.

Samantha Scher said she received an alert about the shooting and went to retrieve her 18-month-old child from a day care in the neighborhood. She was unable to reach the day care because of the siege.

“I’m a little anxious and worried,” Scher said. “I just want to get my kid and go home.”

Jon Hicks, another resident with a child at the day care, said his wife called about the shooting and he rushed to the center. He said he felt “helpless” and “shocked” while waiting for the crisis to resolve.

“It’s not something you expect, to get a phone call around here and hear that,” Hicks said.

Paul Agricola, who teaches piano students at his home near the crime scene, said he was giving a lesson when police rushed into the neighborhood. He kept his student at the house and canceled the rest of his lessons for the day.